Variability Evaluation in Bael (Aegle marmelos Correa) Accessions

The present investigation was carried out in the Department of Horticulture, Ch. S. S. Shandilya (P.G.) College, Machhra, Meerut to exploit genetic variability in bael fruits grown in western Uttar Pradesh. Observations at the spot of growing seedling trees showed great genetic variations regarding their morphological characters like tree height, age of tree, age of first bearing, growth habit and number of fruits. Height of the tree ranged from 10m (BT₂) to 19.33m (BT₁₀). Age of seedling tree ranged from 12.66 year (BT₂) to 20 year (BT₅), while age of tree at first bearing was statistically at par in all the accessions which varied from 9 to 11 year. Number of fruits/tree ranged from 66.33 (BT₇) to 118 (BT₁₀). Genotype BT₁, BT₅, BT₁₁ and BT₁₂ were evergreen, while BT₄ and BT₁₂ were fully deciduous during hot summers. Data on physico-chemical attributes also exhibited significant diversity among all accessions studied. Bael accession collected from Bugrasi village had the maximum weight and volume, and polar and transverse diameters of fruit and minimum peel thickness. Number of seeds/fruit were lowest in BT₁₀, while fibre and seed content per cent were found minimum in BT₂. Moisture and TSS per cent were maximum in BT₆ and BT₉, respectively. The fruits of BT₃ and BT₅ showed the lowest acidity and pH, respectively.